CAKE Rules

Summary: The Protection of Moderators Act prevents an abuse of power from Board Members and senior Moderators by restricting an individual's powers, and it adds protections that prevent the unfair dismissal of moderators.

1. Structure of the Board

There are now three types of Board Member:

• Executives – handle CAKE’s administration and day-to-day operations.

• Legislators – create, update, and maintain CAKE-wide rules.

• Judicials – interpret and enforce CAKE rules.
  
  

All three groups will have:

• General moderation powers across CAKE.

• The right to vote on all Board matters (this right cannot be removed).

• The ability to request meetings.

• The ability to suggest changes to CAKE.

• The ability to suggest rule changes (only Legislators can formally propose them).

1.1 Board Votes

In order to make any major changes, Board Members must first obtain permission from a Board Vote. Each vote must last for at least 3 days and the Board must be pinged for each vote. A Board Member can also only set up one Board Vote each day to prevent spam. In order for a vote to be considered valid, at least 10% of the board (or 20 members, whichever is lower) must vote, and a majority vote must be reached for a change to be implemented.

Board members can only call votes that lie within their role. For example, an executive cannot call a vote about changing a rule; they can, however, suggest to a legislator to call a vote on their behalf.

2. Executive Functions

Executives will handle CAKE’s everyday tasks, including:

• Creating or updating CAKE subreddits.

• Assigning moderator or server roles.

• Managing logos, branding, and design assets.

• Overseeing CAKE finances.
  
  

Decision-making:

• Small administrative actions can be taken without a vote.

• Large changes (e.g., rebranding, acquiring new subreddit groups) require a vote of the full Board.
  
  

3. Legislature Functions

Legislators will be responsible for CAKE-wide rules. (Individual subreddits can still set their own rules).

• Minor changes (eg Spelling mistakes or grammar fixes) can be made without approval.

• Standard changes (eg Clarifications, passing new acts, and small additions) need a vote between Legislators only.

• Major changes: (eg Removing acts or rules, or significantly altering rules) requires a vote from all 3 areas of the Board.

4. Moderator Punishment and Hearings

Judicials will interpret and enforce CAKE rules. They are the first contact point for serious misconduct reports involving moderators or subreddits.

4.1 Notification

If a Board member is reported for their behaviour:

• They must be notified immediately.

• The full details of their report, including exactly what they are being reported for, must be explained at the time of notification.

• The moderator must then be given at least 2 days to prepare before their hearing takes place, unless they request otherwise. They must be given all of the evidence that will be used against them at least 2 days before the hearing takes place; evidence that is not sent to them at this point cannot be used in the hearing.

• A moderator may be suspended temporarily, once the hearing date has been decided, until the hearing is held if the accusation is serious.

• The moderator MUST NOT be punished outside of what is ordered by the panel at a hearing.

• If, at any point during the trial, it is discovered that this process was not followed properly, the trial must be restarted as it becomes classed as "unsafe."

4.2 Hearings for Moderator Misconduct

A hearing will be required when a moderator is reported for breaking the rules, misconduct, or poor behaviour. The hearing will be heard by a panel, which must include at least 3 Judicials, 1 Executive, and 1 Legislator, all of the above must be impartial to the case. After the hearing, the panel must vote on guilt; a moderator can only be punished if a clear majority votes that the moderator is guilty. If the moderator is found guilty, the panel must then vote on a suitable punishment, following the suggestions below:

• A warning, for smaller offences where it is deemed that the trial process has been enough of a punishment.

• A requirement for the moderator to write a formal apology.

• Restricted social access or features from the CAKE Discord Server.

• A ban from one or more appropriate CAKE subreddits.

• A temporary restriction from certain duties, e.g. reduced moderator permissions.

• A temporary or permanent demotion. E.g. demoting a representative.

• An order of retraining, meaning that the moderator must become a trainee again.

• A temporary suspension.

• A permanent suspension.

• A permanent suspension and ban from all CAKE subreddits.

If a sentence has been issued and the moderator fails to adhere to it, they can be tried again for both the original offence, alongside a trial for Breach of Justice.

If the moderator does not attend their hearing, they must be given a second chance to attend another hearing (which must be at a date and time of their choice). If they fail to attend this, the hearing can proceed without them.

4.3 Second Hearing Requirement

If a suspension to any moderator is issued:

• A second hearing must be held.

• This second hearing will be open to all CAKE moderators, including trainees.

• Any moderator can ask questions to the member being reviewed.

• A second vote must take place, this time involving anyone who watched the full hearing. The vote must decide whether the moderator was guilty and whether the punishment was fair.

4.4 Hearings for Board Member Misconduct

• Panel structure: 5 Judicials, 1 Executive, 1 Legislator.

• If the full panel can’t reasonably be gathered within 2 weeks (or sooner for urgent cases), the largest available panel can be used instead.

• A Board member cannot be suspended without first being demoted, unless the situation is too serious to not suspend them entirely.

4.5 Appealing a Hearing

Any moderator or Board member who has been given a punishment has the right to appeal the decision. Leave to Appeal must first be granted by a Legislator before an appeal can be submitted. Appeals must be submitted within 14 days of the final decision being issued, unless exceptional circumstances are accepted by Judicials.

An appeal will be reviewed by a separate panel made up of: 3 Judicials, 1 Executive, and 1 Legislator; all of whom must also not have participated in the earlier hearing.

The appeals panel will review:

• Whether the original process was fair,

• Whether the punishment was appropriate,

• Whether new evidence has come to light.
  
  

The appeals panel may:

• Uphold the original decision,

• Reduce the punishment,

• Increase the punishment (only if new evidence justifies it),

• Or overturn the decision entirely.
  
  

Their decision will be final unless emergency powers are invoked due to urgent concerns.

5. Emergency Powers

Senior Board Members may activate emergency powers only when:

• CAKE’s public image is in immediate danger due to actions of multiple moderators or Board members.

• Multiple Board members have committed serious misconduct, and senior members have lost confidence in the Board.

• A CAKE platform or user has been hacked and urgent action is needed.

• Any incident of similar or greater seriousness requiring immediate action.
  
  

5.1 Available Emergency Powers

Depending on the situation, senior members may:

• Suspend a moderator without a hearing (only as a last resort).

• Modify CAKE rules.

• Lock down subreddits by restricting posting.

• Dissolve the Board and require all members to reapply.

• Take any similar action necessary to prevent major harm.
  
  

Abuse of these powers will result in suspension.

6. Board Member Re-Applications

• Non-senior Board members will now have to reapply every 1 year.

• Senior Board members will have to reapply every 2 years.
  
  

6.1 Decisions on Re-Applications

• Senior Executives may only reject a re-application on good grounds.

• Any refusal must first be reviewed with a panel of Legislators. The legislators will have the power to block a refusal via a vote if they believe it is unfair.

Summary: The Moderators Actions & Appointment Act sets out how moderators are appointed, removed, and expected to behave. It covers who can add moderators, how removals and inactivity are handled, and the standards moderators must follow when enforcing rules.

1. Adding Moderators

1.1 Appointment Requirements

Moderators may only be added by:

• A Representative, or

• A Board Member

Trainees and standard moderators must not add moderators without explicit permission from one of the above.

1.2 Monthly Limit

• A maximum of five moderators may be added to a subreddit per calendar month.

• The Board may grant exceptions where needed.

1.3 Selection Process

Representatives and Board Members must:

• Use the official moderator application form.

• Carry out a profile check on every applicant.

• Ensure all moderators are at least 16 years old.

• Moderators under 18 must not handle modmail.

1.4 Removal Within the First 14 Days

If a Representative adds a moderator, but that moderator is not fit for the role:

• They may remove them within 14 days of their appointment, or until trainee status ends.

• A valid reason must be provided, but a hearing is not required.

• The Board must be informed and approve the decision via a vote.

2. Trainee Moderators

2.1 Who Becomes a Trainee

• All new moderators with no prior experience will be appointed as Trainee Moderators.

• Moderators from non-CAKE subreddits with 6+ months of verified experience may skip the traineeship and take the exam immediately.
  
  

2.2 Supervision Period

• Trainees will be supervised by a Representative or Board Member for one month.

• After this period, trainees must check in with their Representative at least once per month.
  
  

2.3 Duration of Traineeship

• Trainees will remain in this role for 3–6 months, depending on performance and readiness.
  
  

2.4 Exams and Promotion

To become a full moderator, trainees must:

• Complete a scenario-based exam (“What would you do in X situation?” style), and

• Attend a short interview with their Representative or a Board Member.
  
  

2.5 If a Trainee Fails

• If unsuccessful, they must wait one month before attempting the exam again.

• Additional training or support may be offered where appropriate.

3. Inactive Moderator Policy

3.1 General Inactivity

Moderators may be removed for extended inactivity without warning if:

• They gave no notice, and

• They are not marked as on leave.
  
  

Moderators removed for inactivity:

• Must not be kicked from the Discord Server or suspended from any of their other subreddits. They are still a member of CAKE, just not a moderator of that specific subreddit.

• May rejoin at any time via their Representative.
  
  

3.2 Leave Status

• Moderators expecting inactivity must mark themselves as On Leave in the server.

• Moderators on leave must not be removed unless they have been inactive for one year or longer.
  
  

3.3 Inactive Representatives

If a Representative becomes inactive:

• A subreddit member must contact the Board.

• The Board will appoint a new Representative if needed.
  
  

Representatives going on leave must appoint a temporary Representative.

4. Moderator Actions

4.1 General Standards

Moderators must:

• Act fairly and proportionately,

• Avoid abusing authority,

• Remove content only if it breaks a rule or is spam,

• Must not remove or punish content based on personal dislike.
  
  

4.2 Handling Rule-Breaking Content

Moderators must consider:

• Context,

• User history,

• Subreddit-specific rules.
  
  

If unsure, moderators should ask for help in their mod chat.

5. Guidelines for User Punishments

5.1 Repeated Minor Offences

(e.g., repeated toxicity)

• Ban: 1–3 days
  
  

5.2 Major Offences

(e.g., harassing a moderator)

• Ban: up to 2 weeks
  
  

5.3 Serious Offences

(e.g., posting pornography)

• Ban: up to 6 months
  
  

5.4 Severe or Repeated Violations

• Indefinite suspension or ban.
  
  

5.5 Mandatory Permanent Bans

A user must be permanently banned if:

• They violate Reddit’s Terms of Service, or

• They pose a danger to the subreddit or its members.
  
  

5.6 Rule-Specific Punishments

If a subreddit rule states a specific punishment, moderators must follow it.

6. Ban Appeals

6.1 Right to Appeal

Users have the right to appeal their ban unless they pose a threat to the subreddit or members.

6.2 Timing

• After an unsuccessful appeal, a user may reappeal after 1 week,

• And then every 3 months.
  
  

6.3 Misuse of Appeals

A user may lose the right to appeal if they:

• Harass moderators through the appeals system, or

• Send abusive modmail.
  
  

6.4 Documentation

All bans must be documented in:

• The subreddit’s internal CAKE channel, or

• The user’s mod notes.